Look out over the city from Hayden Butte Preserve, locally known as ‘A’ Mountain for the 60-foot, gold-painted “A” affixed to the hillside. It’s also partially located on the Arizona State University campus, so this hike is as Sun Devil as it gets. This quick, 0.7 mile scramble (one-way) leads up the hillside until you crest to see Tempe unfolding below you.
Though the trail is largely paved, if you time it right you might just catch sight of some desert critters and even cacti in bloom.